Two Nordic leaders urge Putin to end Ukraine war in rare direct contact by Europeans

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Nordic Leaders Hold Rare Phone Call With Putin

   The leaders of Finland and Norway spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin to press for an end to the war in Ukraine. During the telephone conversation, the Nordic leaders stressed the importance of de-escalation and expressed unwavering support for Ukraine. This direct interaction breaks with the longstanding practice of Western European leaders who have generally avoided direct contact with the Kremlin since the start of the conflict. The call has created a split among European leaders regarding diplomatic engagement with Moscow.

   Why it matters

   Western European capitals have maintained a strict policy of shunning direct communications with the Russian president as part of a united front against the invasion of Ukraine. The decision by the Finnish and Norwegian leaders to bypass this convention signals a divergence in diplomatic tactics among European nations. It remains unresolved whether other Western leaders will alter their approach or if this contact represents an isolated diplomatic initiative.

   What is confirmed

   • Finland's president and Norway's prime minister held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
   • The Nordic leaders urged Putin to end the war in Ukraine during the conversation.
   • The call broke with a longstanding practice among Western European leaders of shunning direct contact with the Kremlin.
   • The leaders stressed the importance of de-escalation and expressed unwavering support for Ukraine.

   Still unconfirmed

   • European leaders are split over the implications of the phone call to Putin.

   What to watch next

   • Reactions from other Western European capitals regarding the direct contact with Moscow
   • Any potential follow-up diplomatic engagements between Nordic nations and the Kremlin
   • Statements from Ukrainian officials concerning the phone call
   Sources used for this update (14)

   1. Reuters — Norway's prime minister, Finland's president in phone call with Putin
   2. The Guardian — Finnish and Norwegian leaders hold rare ‘frank and substantive’ call with Putin on Ukraine – Europe live
   3. Financial Times — Vladimir Putin speaks with Norwegian and Finnish leaders
   4. BBC — Norway and Finland hold rare call with Putin to discuss ending war
   5. The New York Times — European Leaders Split Over Phone Call to Putin
   6. The Economist — World in Brief: Nordic leaders speak with Putin; Anthropic files its IPO
   7. Institute for the Study of War — Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 27, 2026
   8. www.abc.net.au — Nordic leaders press Putin to end Ukraine war in rare phone ...
   9. www.independent.co.uk — Putin urged to end Ukraine war as European leaders make rare ...
   10. www.yahoo.com — Two Nordic leaders urge Putin to end Ukraine war in rare ...
   11. www.devdiscourse.com — Two Nordic leaders urge Putin to end Ukraine war in rare ...
   12. www.canberratimes.com.au — Two leaders urge Putin to end Ukraine war in rare call
   confidence 100%